How to Update a Door With Molding

Take the door off its hinges by taking out the hinge pins, using a hammer and regular screwdriver. Set the door face-up on sawhorses.

Mark on the face of the door where you want the trim to go that will form the squares, using a carpenter's square and a pencil. Lay out four, six or eight squares, set 4 to 6 inches in from the edges of the door.

Measure the top of one drawn square. Transfer the measurement to a piece of trim, putting two marks with the measured span between them.

Set the marked trim on the miter saw, positioned so the top edge of the trim is against the back guide fence of the saw. Slide the piece so one of the marks is directly under the saw blade. Swivel the blade 45 degrees pointing inward, toward the trim. Cut it.

Slide the trim so the second mark is under the blade. Swivel the blade again to point 45 degrees inward, which will be in the opposite direction as before. Make the cut. You should end up with a piece of trim that has a longer upper edge than lower edge, with inward-angled miters at either end.

Spread carpenter's glue on the back of the trim, over the whole surface. Press the piece to the door, along the top line of the square. The top edge of the trim should line up with the line, with the ends angled down and inward.

Repeat the procedure to measure and cut pieces for each side of the first marked square, and for the rest of the squares. The mitered cuts will fit together at each corner. Let the glue set for 12 hours.

Reinstall the door.